A dermal (skin) puncture may be required when a venipuncture cannot be performed or may be the option of choice for some point-of-care test procedures. A dermal puncture may be a fingerstick or, in the case of small infants, may be a heelstick.

Patient safety for these collections involves proper identification prior to specimen collection, care in preparing the collection site, proper technique during collection, and treatment of the puncture wound following collection. The technique that is used for collection of the specimen must also prevent the introduction of errors that could cause the specimen to be rejected and require recollection.

Intended Audience: This program is designed as an educational and training tool for laboratory personnel, phlebotomists, and other healthcare personnel who perform dermal punctures for capillary blood collection or point-of-care testing. This course is also appropriate for clinical laboratory science and phlebotomy students. 

Learning Objectives

• Define venous, arterial and capillary blood.
• Locate the acceptable sites for puncture and collection of capillary blood on a finger and infant heel.
• Identify and select the appropriate dermal puncture device and other equipment needed to perform capillary blood collection on adults, children and infants.
• List and explain all procedural steps required to positively identify the patient and safely perform a capillary puncture.
• Discuss risks and special circumstances associated with the dermal puncture procedure.

This course has been approved for P.A.C.E.® credit. There are no prerequisites for this course.